Xbox 360 Question

Okay, the last few days I've been considering buying a console over a PC.
That's mainly because they're cheaper, cooler, more practical, and just better in long-term views.

I was looking at an Xbox 360 over a PS3 as my primary choice, but as I surfed, I came upon an interesting fact about Xbox LIVE,
I can't play any games online without Gold Membership!

So, my questions:
-Is there any way to bypass this, by cracked firmware and stuff?
-If so, where can I find such firmware? Is it installable through a PC or do I have to take it to a hardware technitian?
-Is there a way to play games online without even using Xbox LIVE?

-Nope
-^
-Yes

It's 60 bucks a year and the network is better and more secure opposed to PSN.

Just shell the cash out..it's not that much money..

You can 'flash' your xbox which means you can play pirated games on it.
But you'll need the 8.7gb dvds and even then I think there are some games that don't fit onto them.
There is a tutorial on this written by Killian in the xbox section. Him and Evan are the only ones on mpgh that know how to do this 100% afaik.

You need to have gold membership to play games online but you can be connected to the internet without having gold membership.
With Gold Membership, you can play games online and you an join XboxLive Parties. In a party you can talk to up to 7 other people no matter what game you are playing (Some Call of Duty Gamme modes won't allow you to be in party chat)
With Silver (free membership) you can 'Private chat' one friend and you can talk to each other no matter what game you are both playing (Not restricted by any CoD Game modes)
Even I have managed to afford Xbox Live for 2 years now. It isn't that expensive at all.
As far as I know, PS3 doesn't allow you to chat with any players that aren't playing the same game as you.
I've heard that Xbox has better servers for some games than PS3
In the end it really just comes down to:
What ones your friends have.
If it's PS3 do they play all the games you would play
If it's Xbox, do you think the cost of xbox live would be a good enough price to pay for the fun you have. If you can easily make friends online like I do then I think it is 100% worth getting the xbox.

one of the top reasons for people that have a PS3 is because it comes with a blue ray drive so youre able to play blu ray movies (reason my dad got our Ps3...) and also because you dont have pay to play online. would you rather have to pay to play online or use that money to buy an extra game?

also as @swifts bitch said... what do your friends play

and... PS3's are more reliable than xbox

let the console wars begin

EDIT: maybe this can help you?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXKPh...eature=related

the 360 seems alright and so does the ps3. most of my friends have 360, so I was thinking about getting one also. -.---

Don't be afraid to buy/build a computer for gaming. Cheap ones can go for $800 and do anything you want. Games on PC are usually higher quality (Skyrim, Battlefield 3) and give you options to mod. Also, Steam, which is a huge library of downloadable games, has huge sales, for example, Bioshock as I type is being sold for $5

Xbox is way better and has better security and network than ps3.

Guys I'm not here for a console war, I was just asking if playing online on an Xbox requires Xbox LIVE Gold Membership.
And it's not about the price, I'd pay triple if there was a way to pay through cash, my dad has a trouble giving away his credit card number t strangers, whereas to a third-party gaming service.

Originally Posted by Chuck

Guys I'm not here for a console war, I was just asking if playing online on an Xbox requires Xbox LIVE Gold Membership.
And it's not about the price, I'd pay triple if there was a way to pay through cash, my dad has a trouble giving away his credit card number t strangers, whereas to a third-party gaming service.

as I said, you have to pay to play online. You'll probably end up paying for dlc of some sort and afaik you have to link your credit card to your ps3 account. Everyone has agreed that Microsoft has better security

Dont get xbox 360
its shit
Pc gaming <3